Daily News Compilation (HINDU) for 6th May

What development? For whom?

• Development is not a singular, universally accepted paradigm. Nor can one kind of development benefit everyone. Anyone or any country that advocates a single paradigm of development (Gujarat, China) is misinforming this discussion. The most effective development paradigms are rarely superimposed but instead evolve and are implemented with participation from its recipients.
• Development in its simplest sense should be the ability of all Indians to realise their true potential without fear or obstacles. Development should address the lack of capabilities, knowledge, financial resources, and opportunity to step out of poverty and deprivation without fear. Development then is as much a process of providing services as of removing obstacles and giving freedom from all sorts of discrimination, exclusion, insufficient opportunities and fear of identity. 
• Evidence indicates that rising income is no guarantee of greater personal welfare. The most basic indices of human development for the most vulnerable — being healthy, well-nourished, literate, and having equal opportunity without fear — are dependent on strong local governments, unbiased law enforcement and clean and effective public systems which work without prejudice. Similarly, a larger economy does mean growth but not development. It doesn’t ensure appropriate wealth distribution, access to quality healthcare, housing or a safe environment. In fact, it can acerbate the inequality problem as incomes rise only for a few. The poor can continue to live in slums in big shining cities with poor nutrition, health and safety.

For a clear nuclear doctrine

Author has discussed about India's Nuclear doctrine. Same old points have been made on why India should not make changes to its No first Use policy. Some notable points form the article:

• For improving its punitive capacity, China is seeking a sea-based nuclear deterrent, deploying mobile solid-fuel missiles, and moving missiles below the surface in elaborate tunnels in mountainous terrain, undetectable from space, called the “Underground Great Wall.” The same motivation has led India to similar pursuits. India’s missile force, the weak link in its deterrence, is under rapid repair. Its transformation is enabling the shift toward strategic deterrence. 
• In the past half-dozen years, India has invested in improving the command, control, communications, and intelligence systems and its second strike capacity, including the survival of the decision-making structure. The National Command Authority deserves credit for this. Simultaneously, the sea-based leg of the triad of delivery systems is taking shape — even if at a slower pace than the situation warrants. India might also have to do more to communicate effectively that its deterrent carries credibility.
• Nuclear weapons can be used for coercion, but up to a point, and with some success only against a non-nuclear state. 
• India can survive a first strike but Pakistan cannot. What incentive would Pakistan have to consider a second strike if it believed India could attack it first? As for the growing non-nuclear threats to security, India can meet them by augmented conventional preparedness, hardened defences, upgraded equipment and a strong indigenous armament industry.

In search of a home away from home

• Author has discussed about the proclamation made by Modi during his campaign speeches regarding illegal Bangladeshi Migrants
• According to the author such an act is provocative and against universal human rights provided to refugees and illegal migrants
• 12 million is the number of such illegal migrants around the world and there is a growing support from world bodies and international NGOs for providing humane treatment to such groups
• Migrants are often exploited by local landlords and employers and most often they increase criminal activities because of insecurities they carry with them
• Poor stateless people around our north-eastern borders — immigrants, illegal or foreign refugees — need humane and responsive governments. They need ration cards, work permits and some form of security from those who hate them because they are human beings with a universal right to life before being members of one or the other community. They also need regulated and just government processes so that the illegality can be distinguished and entire communities are not tarred with the same brush of criminality.

Consumption data contradict high poverty estimates

India could be overstating poverty levels as the private final consumption estimates captured by the National Income Accounts (NIA) is nearly twice as much as the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) estimates for consumption expenditure of households in 2011-12.

At present, poverty ratios are calculated using the NSSO data. The C. Rangarajan Committee on poverty estimation, that will submit its findings by the month-end, is likely to report that it has so far not been able to reconcile the differential between the two sets of data.

The Planning Commission’s latest estimate of the national poverty line was at consumption expenditure level of Rs. 33.33 in cities and Rs. 27.20 in villages per day per person. Indians below this consumption poverty line fell dramatically from 41 crore in 2004-05 to 27 crore in 2011-12. The irreconcilable differential of the two data sets means even these estimates of poverty levels could be an overstatement.

The UPA had in May 2012 set up the five-member expert group to revisit the way poverty is estimated following criticism of the Planning Commission's estimates based on the Tendulkar panel norms. The Commission had announced that the number of poor stood reduced from 40.7 crore to 35.5 crore during the period 2004-05 to 2009-10.

EC can inquire into paid news: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court said on Monday that the Election Commission could inquire into complaints of paid news against a political leader if the expenditure incurred on it was not disclosed.

A Bench headed by Justice A.K. Patnaik dismissed the plea of the former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan challenging the commission’s jurisdiction to carry out an inquiry.